Business ProfileforThe Ralph V. Estep Firm

Buyer beware. I can hardly believe after 33+ years, started with Ralph V. Estep, Sr. May 1988 that this situation could be possible. I trusted Ralph, and all was fine. Then he recommended I change S-corp to LLC, so I thinking he has been great for so long, went for it....big mistake. He illegally put himself down as partner in my business-there is no proof I signed him to be partner, nor would I. After I found out he had his licensed revoked permanently 10 years ago to practice accountancy, I was stunned. (I not computer person, but better get with it.) To protect myself is not how I intended to live in my :GOLDEN YEARS: hANGS UP WONT TALK, SIGN OF GUILT IN MY OPINION

This is in response to the "Review/s" submitted by **** *******. It is true that Gail had been a client over thirty (30) years, and I can agree that was a most enjoyable relationship. I enjoyed our relationship and looked forward to meeting with her. Unfortunately, that relationship deteriorated the last few years. In Gails defense, I am aware that she has Cancer, and from what I understand she has refused medical attention or treatment. In place thereof, she told me she didn't trust the medical profession and could handle her problems by self-medication. Having met with Gail several times these past few years, it became increasing obvious that she had developed an alcohol problem. This reared its ugly head on many occasions. On several occasions, Gail came to my office or badgered my office manager with notices she received from various tax authorities and on each occasion, blamed me for her own error or omission. And, on each occasion, I should Gail that what she deemed to be our error or omission, was on every occasion he own fault. On each occasion, she grudgingly agreed the error or omission was not ours, but created of her own doing. The last such occasion was the IRS sent Gail a letter stating that she owed tax for the previous year, and they had no receipt of estimated tax payments she had been given to pay. During my review of the situation, I discovered that Gail had sent her estimated payments to the State of Delaware instead of the IRS. I had my office manager call Gail to tell her the IRS tax bill was correct and she should pay it right away. It was also explained to Gail that I would initiate a correction with Delaware to get her overpayment refunded. In that conversation, Gail became very belligerent and would not accept the facts of her mistake. In fact, Gail told my office manager that I had probably stolen her money. At that point, the call was transferred to me, where Gail reiterated the same comments. I could tell she was under the influence of something and nothing I said satisfied her misunderstandings. The next day or so, Gail called me again complaining that her money was not sent to the IRS and that it was somehow my mistake that she paid the wrong tax authority. Then she brought up the matter of me being a partner in her business. When I made the recommendation that she convert her "S" Corporation to an LLC, I explained in detail to qualify the new entity as a partnership, she need to have a partner. Partnership obviously require two or more people to be partners. Since Gail had no family, we discussed me being her partner and that she could issue me one share of stock and she take the remaining 9,999 shares for herself. The tax planning of this recommendation saved Gail over $3,600 for the first year filing of the new entity. Listening to Gail's complaints about me being a partner in her business I simply could not get her to understand my very limited ownership as I would own only 1/10,000th. of any business profit. Considering her income for 2022, I was profited about $1.15. Yes, it was true I did become a very minor partner and entitled to my ownership of all the assets of the business. However, since Gail has a pure service business and no assets, that means my 1/10,000th. ownership was worthless. It's unfortunate that due to Gail's current problems, she can't rationalize the value of my recommendation where she saved over $3,600 in tax and I had a $1.15 profit, which I never collected or asked for. Hence, after Gail accused me of stealing her money, and this was not the first occasion, I told Gail I would no longer provide any further services for her. She has found this unacceptable and has called my office repeatedly to complain. As you can see, Gail's complaints are unfounded and her submitted review of my practices and services are unwarranted. I've served my clients very professionally for over 54 years and I've never had a client accuse me of any manner of impropriety. My business has continued to grow these many years and it's been due to the quality of work and recommendations I provide my clients. I have very rarely fired a client over my many years of practice, but in this case it was necessary. Respectfully submitted by Ralph V. Estep, Sr., EA, ABA, ATA, ATP